What is it?

This is the latest evolution of the 8K cartridge PCB I have been making for a while. This version is produced for me by The Future Was 8 bit.

What makes it special?

This is a professionally produced PCB with gold plated edge connector. It has pre-installed reset switch, decoupling capacitor and pullup resistors on the high address lines of the EPROM socket. The cartridge PCB can be used as is, or can be fitted into a cartridge case, which is optionally available. These new cartridge cases are smaller than traditional C64 cartridges, but you can still read the label when inserted into the computer. They also have a hole for the reset button.

Due to the height available inside C64 cartridges, it is not possible to install a normal height IC socket, although you can use one if you plan to leave the board uncased, or use a half case. The options can be set with wire links or solder blobs. Jumpers could be fitted, but again, not if it is to be encased.

What configurations are supported

This board will accept an 8K or larger EPROM chip of the standard pin out. It can be configured to use the upper or lower ROM select line, and has pads to set the EXROM and GAME control signals. This allows the board to be used to produce Dead Test, Diagnostics and game cartridges. See the images above for samples of these.

What ROM chips are supported

The smallest supported chips are 27C64 EPROMs or 28C64B EEPROM chips. Larger chips up to the 27C512 can be used, and one of up to 8 ROM images selected using the address links. By default, the pull up resistors will select the uppermost 8K in any ROM chip. Use the jumpers to select a different block. You can also make multi-carts by adding switches to these pads.

Errata

Note, due to an error during PCB production, the silkscreen labels for EXROM and GAME are reversed. Refer to the images above or the datasheet supplied for configuration information.

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About tynemouthsw

I write a blog about old computers, repairing them, upgrading them, replacing them. Read more at blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk